In a community that shines there is a general understanding, when newcomers arrive, that you stop what you are doing and make them feel welcome.
We have newcomers in our House of Shine community, so we must take a moment to explain one of our favorite monthly rituals: Highlowaha.
Highlowaha is about making time for reflection. Shining is already hard work, but in a world where free time for thinking is made to feel like a commodity, it is especially hard work. If, after all, we do something that shines and want to repeat the behavior, it is essential that we know what worked and why. Reflection. Conversely, if efforts you make fall short, it is just as important to consider what you might do differently next time. Also, reflection.
Either way - in times of success or in the face of failure - reflection is key.
Each month on the eighteenth day, readers from the House of Shine take a moment to reflect on their "high" for the month (best thing that happened), "low" for the month (worst thing that happened) and "aha" (something you learned in the past month).
Doing it together is what makes highlowaha a community ritual. It is one of of the ways we stay connected and learn from one another. I'll start and show you what I mean.
High: After five long months, construction in my house is over; participation for our Yellow Envelope Project is up, up, up; visiting family and a friend in New York; and I've been able to "ship" quite a few things in the past month. "Shipping" is a term stolen from Seth Godin, a writer who I love. It means finish, move-on, wrap-up. It is the opposite of being a Lizard Brain
Low: I fell short for Teacher Appreciation Week this year and I feel a little bad about it; I am in no way shape or form meeting my goal of 212-words-a-day in order to finish my book by January 1; and... it's bathing suit season and once again, I am in no way, shape, or form. UGH!
Aha: One "aha" is that it's always harder for me to come up with my "aha" than I think it should be. I don't like that; earlier this month I had an interesting conversation with an acquaintance at Starbucks about his research on innovation. I always assumed that wrapping more minds around a topic would automatically lead to more innovation. According to his research, not necessarily. Certain patterns of thinking actually inhibit innovation, but can be helpful in other circumstances. On a lighter note... I also learned that Heather and Holly (loyal participants) are both scheduled to have baby girls on August 24! Yippee.
Your turn.
No worries, newcomers. The Highlowaha Police aren't going to follow you to make sure you participate. If you don't want to jump in this month, how about jotting your replies on a post-it note or in your calendar? Warm up this month and meet us back here again in either June or July. We're not going anywhere.
Veteran readers. Take a minute and tell us about your last month. Visit us in the Community Forum labeled, Today's Post and share your "high", "low", and "aha."
Shining off until tomorrow...